Marine tech floats boats offshore

Written on the 7 October 2009

MARINE technology developed at Coomera is being sought oceans away.

As the exclusive distributor of advanced dry docking technology Sea Pen, Dockpro is exporting to New Zealand, Singapore and The Seychelles and have recently received orders from Noumea and Saudi Arabia.

Turning over $2.6 million annually, Dockpro managing director Mark Barber, says the company is forecasting 30 per cent growth this financial year on the back of a rigorous marketing campaign and increased export demand.

“Until recently the majority of our sales have been in South East Queensland, particularly the Gold Coast. During the last 12 months we have worked very hard to establish a dealer network around Australia,” says Barber.

“We are now gaining a major presence throughout Australia and are also continually receiving enquiries from companies around the world requesting to become dealers.”

Manufactured at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct, Sea Pen is a worldwide innovation designed to keep a boat dry by mooring at water level. As the boat is not lifted in any way, the product is suitable for most boats including monohulls, catamarans and keel boats ranging in size from 6m to 30m.

“Using a Sea Pen keeps the boat in pristine condition, is unobtrusive, eliminates the need for anti-fouling and improves boat performance and fuel economy,” says Barber.

“Sea Pen has a wide range of products to suit most mooring situations and are suitable for home pontoons, jetties and marinas.”

While most of Dockpro’s local sales are to private boat owners, Barber says demand is growing as marinas and body corporate developments prefer Sea Pen to alternative dry docking technology.

“The main reason for this is that Sea Pen keeps the boat at water level meaning there is no extra stress placed on pontoons or jetties. It is also aesthetically pleasing to both the boat owner and their neighbours,” he says.

Dockpro has won the emerging business category in October’s Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards (see page 17) and has previously won the innovation category at the same awards.